3. Does FERC determine my electric and natural gas bills?

No. The retail rates that you pay are usually determined by your State Public Utility Commission. Many of the states have programs to assist you if you can't pay your bill. They may also fund the installation of more efficient energy devices.

However, what FERC does ultimately affects consumers' bills. For example, FERC regulates the sales of electricity at the wholesale level between companies in different states. FERC also regulates the rates charged to transport natural gas via pipelines.

You can control your energy costs by conserving energy and using it wisely. Start today by looking at some good energy saving tips.

7. What is FERC's current budget and how many employees does it have?

8. Where is the Commission located?

The FERC is located at 888 First Street, NE and 1100 First Street, NE Washington DC 20426. The office is close to Union Station. FERC also has five regional offices. These are in San Francisco, Portland Oregon, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City. FERC also has three satellite offices in Hagerstown, MD, Carmel, IN and Folsom, CA.

10. Does FERC regulate the construction of high voltage transmission lines?

However, FERC can provide financial incentives to energy companies to propose and build transmission lines. It does this by allowing the companies to charge market-based rates to use the transmission system.

Under Section 1221 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Commission has been given limited authority to site interstate electric transmission facilities if certain conditions have been met.

12. What is FERC doing to reduce electricity and natural gas prices?

FERC is working with the states to monitor the natural gas and electricity markets to ensure that energy companies are not holding back supplies and manipulating the markets and prices. FERC has also taken action against energy companies that have violated federal energy law. See Market Oversight & Investigations and Settlements.

FERC is also trying to reduce prices by providing financial incentives to energy companies to build more natural gas and electric generation facilities to keep up with the increased demand. This is primarily done by allowing energy companies to sell energy at "market based rates."

FERC is promoting conservation and Demand Response. The latter would offer financial incentives to industry and individuals to not consume energy at certain times. This reduces the demand for electricity and reduces prices.

13. What is the Sunshine Notice?

The Sunshine Notice includes all information regarding an upcoming Commission Meeting. It is released by the Secretary of the Commission at least seven days prior to an Open Meeting.

The Notice is available both on the ferc.gov homepage and in the Commission Meetings Calendar. Navigate to the month you're looking for, then click "View" next to the Commission Meeting event you wish to view. When the Sunshine Notice is available, it will be posted toward the bottom of the page in the Related Files area along with other files related to that meeting.

14. Where can I find a history of FERC?

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was chartered as a result of the Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, signed by President Carter on August 4, 1977 and established within the Department of Energy.

15. Who should I call if I have a complaint or problem with a company or organization regulated by FERC?

You should call the Enforcement Hotline toll-free at 1-888-889-8030 or 202-502-8390. You can also email the Enforcement Hotline at hotline@ferc.gov Retail problems involving gas or electric service or billing are not within the Commission's jurisdiction. Such problems should be directed to your state commissions.

16. Is there a list of FERC employees organized by the Office in which they're working?

Note: Comments sent to customer@ferc.gov are not considered an official filing before the Commission or made part of the record. To file an official comment on a proceeding before the Commission, please follow our Rules of Practice at 18 CFR 385.
You may also file comments related to a FERC project using eComment or eFiling.